Comorbidity and premature mortality in epilepsy

摘要

Epilepsy is no longer considered a condition in which seizures are the only concern. The disorder has consistently been shown to be associated with substantially reduced life expectancy;1 however, we do not yet have a full understanding of this increased premature mortality. Seizures and their underlying causes were thought to be the major drivers for increased mortality in epilepsy, but increasing evidence suggests that there are other factors involved. The results of a 25-year study of people with newly diagnosed epilepsy have shown that, even when in remission, they are still more than twice as likely to die earlier than those in the general population.2 These findings strongly suggest that comorbid conditions other than the ones causing epilepsy—where mortality is considerably higher in the first few years after diagnosis—contribute to the increased risk of premature mortality throughout someone's life.